The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Great Lakes Safety Training Center have signed an alliance agreement formalizing a mutual commitment to workplace safety and health.

MIOSHA is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

"We're pleased to sign this alliance that brings together our organizations to expand education, outreach and information sharing throughout the state," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "This alliance offers great opportunities to provide needed training to help create safer construction job sites throughout Michigan."

The purpose of this alliance is to increase and promote on-the-job safety and health to GLSTC membership through enhanced communication between GLSTC members and MIOSHA for the benefit of a safer workforce. Training goals set for the alliance focus on reducing and preventing exposure to occupational hazards by addressing "focus four" construction hazards: fall hazards, electrical hazards, struck by hazards and caught between/crushed by hazards. In developing this alliance, MIOSHA and GLSTC recognize that MIOSHA's Consultation Education and Training Division is an integral part of this effort. GLSTC's outreach capability is more than 6,000 people.

GLSTC members will also gain a greater understanding of the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act. The team will meet at least three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the alliance. The alliance will remain in effect for three years.

The alliance was signed by Pickelman and CET Division Director Nella Davis-Ray as well as GLSTC Executive Director Kelly Juday at the Michigan Safety Conference in Lansing.

"Great Lakes Safety Training Center is proud to partner and form an alliance with MIOSHA," Juday said. "Since we share similar safety goals, our combined efforts are a great opportunity to provide unique training resources leading to safer and healthier workplaces throughout Michigan. GLSTC looks forward to this alliance for many years to come."

MIOSHA alliances enable organizations committed to workplace safety and health to collaborate with MIOSHA to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Alliances are open to all groups, including trade or professional associations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions and government agencies.

There are many benefits to participating in an alliance with MIOSHA, the agency said, including:

"The MIOSHA program is dedicated to working with employers, both public and private sector, to find innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health," Pickelman said. "Through alliances, MIOSHA can offer employers a voluntary, cooperative relationship to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health."